Liquid distribution valve

ABSTRACT

A self-closing liquid distribution valve, particularly for esculent liquids, essentially consisting of a body (1) for mounting the valve in the opening of a container, and a liquid release plunger (2) engaging a resilient sealing membrane (3) secured to the body (1). The valve is provided with elements (4&#39;,4&#34;) for retaining the plunger (2) in the open position.

FIELD OF THE INVENTION

The present invention relates to the field of the distribution ofliquids contained in small rigid, semi-rigid or flexible containers, inparticular liquid foodstuffs, these receptacles being provided for thispurpose with distribution valves, and has for its object such anautomatic closing valve provided with means for maintaining it in theopen position.

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION

At present, the distribution of liquid foodstuffs, particularly tablewines, fruit juices or ultrahigh temperature pasteurized milk, fromsmall rigid, semi-rigid or flexible receptacles, such as plastic bags,is generally carried out by means of valves fixed on the outlet openingof the receptacles.

To this end, there is known more particularly from EP-A-0 432 070, avalve constituted by a body for mounting in the opening of a receptacleand by a piston for releasing liquid, loaded by a spring and guided inthe body, the piston acting on a resilient sealing membrane secured tothe body. The mounting body in the opening is provided with a securementneck comprising a throat coacting snap-fittingly with an annularprojection on the opening, thereby preventing any removal of the valve.

To operate it, the piston is provided, at its upper portion, withappendices, extending outside the valve through openings in this latterand adapted to permit imposing traction on the piston, so as to free thedistribution opening, closing taking place automatically.

The integrity of this valve permits avoiding any fraud, by preventingrefilling, because of the impossibility of removing the valve from theopening of the receptacle.

Such valves permit correct distribution of the liquid and are perfectlyadapted either for a bottling operation or a succession of withdrawals,regardless of whether the latter are carried out in a sterileenvironment, such as a sterile chamber with aseptic filling, or not, forexample for filling glasses or small receptacles, which is to say forprivate or commercial use for small quantities of a single beverage or asingle vintage.

However, in the case of large quantities of liquid in restaurants or thedistribution of different vintages by the glass, several receptacles areused simultaneously and the space they occupy requires theirinstallation in a separate space and their connection by means adaptedfor a distribution bank with multiple valves.

To this end, it is provided to arrange a connection device between thedistributor and the valve of the receptacle, this device permittingsealed and rapid connection of the valve outlet of the receptacle to aconduit and maintaining this valve in the distribution position duringall the duration of the connection.

However, these known connection devices are bulky and cumbersome. Also,it is of particular interest, in such a case, to provide for carryingout the connection of the conduit and the opening of the valve with aminimum of simple movements.

Moreover, for reasons of economy, in the case of the distribution ofalcoholic beverages, the valve on the receptacle must be taxable, whichis to say that it must be provided with a tax stamp or the like, whichhas to be destroyed for first use, so as to avoid any fraud.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

The present invention has for its object to overcome the drawbacks ofthe connection devices and of the existing valves and to provide anautomatic closing valve, which can be maintained in open position, so asto permit simple and rapid connection to a valve of a distribution bank.

According to the invention, the liquid distribution valve, in particularfor liquid foodstuffs that are sterilized or not, that closesautomatically, which is essentially constituted by a mounting body inthe opening of a receptacle and by a piston for freeing the liquidacting on a resilient sealing membrane secured to the body, ischaracterized in that it is provided with means for maintaining thepiston in open position.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

The invention will be better understood from the following description,which relates to preferred embodiments, given by way of non-limitingexamples, and explained with reference to the accompanying schematicdrawings, in which:

FIG. 1 is a perspective view of the valve according to the invention;

FIG. 2 is a view similar to that of FIG. 1 showing the valve body alone;

FIG. 3 is a side elevational and cross sectional view of the valve inclosed position;

FIG. 4 is a view similar to that of FIG. 3, the valve being in the openposition, and

FIG. 5 is a view similar to that of FIG. 4 of a modified embodiment ofthe invention.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

The figures of the accompanying drawings show a liquid distributionvalve, in particular for liquid foodstuffs, that closes automatically,which is essentially constituted by a body 1 for mounting in the openingof a receptacle and by a piston 2 for freeing the liquid, acting on aresilient sealing membrane 3 secured to the body 1.

According to the invention and as shown in FIGS. 2 to 4 of theaccompanying drawings, this valve is provided with means 4 formaintaining the piston 2 in open position. This means 4 consistsessentially of elements 4' and 4" of coacting shape providedrespectively on the body 1 of the valve and on the piston 2.

According to a characteristic of the invention, the elements 4' and 4"forming the means 4 are constituted respectively by cams extending overthe portion of the body 1 of the valve forming the seat of the resilientsealing membrane 3 and by the guidance of the piston 2 and by slidesdisposed at regular intervals over a portion of the piston 2 extendingconcentrically above said cams of the body 1 (FIGS. 2 to 4).

The piston 2 is preferably constituted by a hollow operating knobslipped over the portion of the body 1 of the valve forming the seat ofthe resilient sealing membrane 3 and the guidance of said piston 2 andis connected, with the possibility of free rotation, to the resilientsealing membrane 3 secured to the body 1. The piston 2 is moreoverprovided with means 5 for maintaining it by snap action on thecorresponding portion of the body 1, by coaction with a peripheralthroat 6 extending below the cams forming the elements 4' of the means4, this means 5 being in the form of an interior end shoulder. Thus,after snapping of the piston 2 over the corresponding portion of thebody 1, said piston 2 is maintained on the body 1 against removal.

The slides forming the elements 4" provided on the piston 2 are disposedon the internal cylindrical wall of the knob forming the piston 2, onthe side opposite the shoulder forming the means 5 for snap actionholding, their lower end being at a distance from said shoulder slightlygreater than the height of the cams 4' from the peripheral throat 6.Thus, the slides 4" are guided concentrically on the cams 4' and, uponrotation of the knob forming the piston 2, they are pressed against theslope of these latter and deform the resilient sealing membrane 3 in thedirection to open the valve (FIG. 4)

The cams 4' are preferably of asymmetrical slope and have an upper flatportion for bearing on the lower end of the slides 4", which have theshape of a triangular point with a rounded end. It results that theopening of the valve can be easily effected by sliding of the slides 4'up the slope of the lowest inclination of the cams 4', the maintenancein open position taking place by the pressure of the slides 4" on theupper portion of said cams 4'. For automatic closure, it suffices toeffect a slight supplemental rotation of the knob forming the piston 2,the slides 4" then sliding by their end over the greatest slope of thecams 4' under the influence of the traction exerted by the resilientsealing membrane 3. An incomplete rotation of the knob, tending to pressthe slides 4" against the steepest slopes of the cams 4', and successiverelease, will have the effect of automatically carrying out closure uponrelease of said knob.

According to another characteristic of the invention, the cams 4' arepreferably provided, at the end of the flat upper portion, on the sideof the steepest slope, with a device 10 for positional arrest of theslides 4", in the form of an end projection. Such a device 10 forstopping the position of the slides 411 permits the operator easily tocontrol the irreversible opening position of the knob 2, by simpledetermination of the arrival in abutting relationship of said slides 4",manifesting itself by a difficult point in the rotation.

According to another characteristic of the invention, the resilientsealing member 3 is provided with a shaft 3', of one piece with saidmembrane 3 and provided at its free end with a bearing 3" for connectionwith the possibility of rotation of the knob forming the piston 2. Sucha connection permits vertical displacement of the membrane 3 and itsdeformation by collapsing during rotation of the knob 2 without themembrane 3 thereby being subjected to shearing deformation, which wouldbe harmful.

The knob forming the piston 2 is preferably provided in a known mannerat the periphery of its upper portion with knurling 7 promoting itsgripping and its operation.

According to another characteristic of the invention, and as shown moreparticularly in FIGS. 1 and 2 of the accompanying drawings, the body 1of the valve is provided, below the peripheral throat 6, with a lug 8adapted to coact with a hole of corresponding shape of a tearable cap 9connected to the knob 2 by means (not shown) having a gluing surface fora tax stamp. Thus, a rotation of the knob 2 is provided until the cap 9is torn, because of the coaction of the hole provided in this latterwith the lug 8 of the body 1, the tearing of the cap 9 having for itseffect to sever the tax stamp, at least at the level of its contact withthe lug 8, such that it is rendered unusable. As a result of thisembodiment, the valve is inviolable during transportation and storage.Thus, the indispensable safety for handling aseptic liquid foodstuffs,such as fruit juice or ultra high temperature pasteurized milk, isensured. This inviolability permits detecting instantaneouslyunauthorized use.

In a known manner, the end of the outlet of body 1 of the valve isprovided with peripheral holding means projecting from one end of theflexible conduit, of a type known per se, permitting rapid connection ofsuch a conduit.

In FIGS. 1 to 4 of the accompanying drawings, the valve is shown withits piston 2 extending perpendicularly to the axis of the mounting bodyin the opening of a receptacle; however, it is also possible to providethat the body of the valve extend in an inclined manner relative to theperpendicular to this axis or else parallel or coaxial to this latter.

Thus, FIG. 5 of the accompanying drawings shows a modified embodiment ofthe invention, in which the body 1' of the valve extends in prolongationof the mounting body in the opening of a receptacle and coaxially tothis latter, its piston 2' also extending coaxially to the mountingbody, the corresponding sealing membrane 13 bearing directly on anopening 14 provided in a channel 15 for connection between said mountingbody in the opening of the body 1' of the valve, downstream of thepouring orifice 16 of this latter. Such an embodiment is particularlydesirable in the case of valves adapted for the distribution of asepticliquids.

Thus, in this case, the sealing of the resilient membrane 13 is carriedout solely at the level of the seat 14, namely at a single point, incontrast to the embodiment shown in FIGS. 1 to 4 of the accompanyingdrawings, in which the sealing must also be guaranteed at the level ofthe junction of the membrane with the body of the valve. As a result,the risks of contamination are considerably diminished.

Thanks to the invention, it is possible to provide an automatic closingvalve permitting its maintenance in open position, as well as rapidclosing or else impulsive opening with rapid closing.

Of course, the invention is not limited to the embodiment described andshown in the accompanying drawings. Modifications remain possible,particularly as to the construction of the various elements or bysubstitution of technical equivalents, without thereby departing fromthe scope of protection of the invention.

I claim:
 1. A liquid distribution valve with automatic closing,comprising a valve body for mounting in an opening of a receptacle and apiston for freeing the liquid acting on a resilient sealing membranesecured to the valve body, said valve being provided with means formaintaining the piston in an open position consisting of elements ofcomplementary shape provided respectively on the valve body and on thepiston, wherein the elements are constituted respectively by camsextending over a portion of the valve body that provides a valve seatthereon for movement of the resilient sealing membrane between open andclosed valve positions as the piston is guided and moved along saidvalve body, and by slides disposed at regular intervals over a portionof the piston extending concentrically above said cams, wherein thepiston is constituted as a hollow operating knob as a flexible snap-onsleeve that encloses said cams, said sleeve being slidably positionedover and along an exterior portion of the valve body, said sleeve beingconnected for allowing the possibility of free rotation to the resilientsealing member secured to the valve body.
 2. The valve according toclaim 1, wherein the piston includes retention means for maintainingsaid piston by snap action on a corresponding portion of the body, bycoaction with a peripheral throat extending below the cams, saidretention means being in the form of an interior end shoulder.
 3. Thevalve according to claim 2, wherein the slides forming the elementsprovided on the piston are disposed on an internal cylindrical wall ofthe piston, on a side opposite the shoulder forming the retention means,said slides having a lower end which is at a distance from said shoulderslightly greater than the height of the cams from the peripheral throat.4. The valve according to claim 2, wherein the piston is constituted asa hollow operating knob, and the valve body is provided below theperipheral throat, with a lug adapted to coact with a hole ofcorresponding cross section in a tearable cap connected to the knob byperforations and having a gluing surface for a tax stamp.
 5. The valveaccording to claim 1, wherein the cams have an asymmetrical slope andhave a flat upper bearing portion pressed against by the lower end ofthe slides, which have the shape of a triangular point with a roundedend.
 6. The valve according to claim 5, wherein the cams are provided atthe end of the upper flat portion, on the side of greatest slope, with adevice for positionally stopping the slides, said device being in theform of an end projection.
 7. The valve according to claim 1, whereinthe resilient sealing membrane is provided with a shaft, of one piecewith said membrane and provided at its free end with a bearing forconnection with possibility of rotation of the knob forming the piston.8. The valve according to claim 1, wherein the knob forming the pistonis provided at the periphery of its upper portion, with knurlingpromoting its gripping and its operation.
 9. The valve according toclaim 1, wherein the valve body extends inclined relative to theperpendicular to the axis of a mounting body in a receptacle.
 10. Thevalve according to claim 1, wherein the valve body extends inprolongation of a mounting body in an opening of a receptacle andcoaxially to said receptacle, the piston also extending coaxially of themounting body, the corresponding sealing membrane bearing directly on aseat provided in a channel for connection between said mounting body inthe opening of the valve body, downstream of an outlet flow opening ofsaid valve body.